The funding programme zukunft.niedersachsen supports projects that have a tangible impact, promote progress in times of change and advance necessary systemic changes. Often, gaining international scientific partners can be a prerequisite for outstanding and prestigious research. For this reason, the Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony and the Volkswagen Foundation provide targeted support for Lower Saxony’s scientific community in establishing international collaborations.
1. Objectives
The module aims to promote the internationalisation of research and innovation in Lower Saxony within the programme zukunft.niedersachsen, and in particular to support cooperation between universities and non-university research institutions with international partners. Through additional funding within calls for proposals in the programme, the internationalization module aims to create incentives for international cooperation, thereby expanding the global network of Lower Saxony’s science and research institutions and strengthening Lower Saxony’s position as a centre of science from an international viewpoint.
2. Scope of Funding
To be eligible to apply for this type of international cooperation funding, the following criteria must be met:
- International partnership: Cooperation with international partners has to be a substantial aspect within the specific scientific project proposal.
- Additional benefit: The application has to state clearly how the project’s impact benefits from international cooperation and how the international cooperation supports achieving the project’s objectives.
- Sustainability: The international cooperation should have the potential to build long-term relationships with the partner institution.
It is possible to apply for additional funds of up to 10% of the main application‘s total requested amount, intended for the implementation of the planned internationalisation measures.
Funding can be used for:
- Staff, material and service costs directly related to the project’s specific international cooperation
- Travel expenses and accommodation for international partners to facilitate exchange and cooperation
- Costs for workshops, conferences or seminars that serve to promote international co-operation and knowledge transfer
- Science communication formats
A stand-alone application for the internationalisation module is expressly not possible.
3. Application and Selection Procedure
Please describe the intended international cooperation in an appendix (max. one page) to the main application and provide an explanatory expenditure plan (cf. the supplied application form). Applications for the internationalisation module have to be submitted together with the main application by the deadline specified in the respective call for proposals via the Volkswagen Foundation’s funding platform. Based on the reviewers’ recommendations, the Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony will decide on the main application and on the application for funding within the internationalisation module.
4. Contact
Dr. Harald Barre
E-Mail: barre@volkswagenstiftung.de
Tel.: +49 511 83 81 – 247
For administrative/organisational issues:
Simone Künnecke
E-Mail: kuennecke@volkswagenstiftung.de
Tel.: +49 511 83 81 – 255
For the Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony:
Hendrik Wessels
E-Mail: hendrik.wessels@mwk.niedersachsen.de
Tel.: +49 511 120 2433
As of April 2025
